A solar-powered, fast-charging, high-flying hero named Heliora! A sweet nanoparticle solution that defeats the sugar-blasting nemesis Glycosa! A peppy polymer that transforms into a cell-size, chain-welding hero to battle an antibiotic resistant superbug!

The National Science Foundation (NSF), in partnership with the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), recognized these new science-powered superheroes and more by naming them as the first- and second-place winners and honorable mention for the Generation Nano competition.

Generation Nano challenges middle and high school students to imagine novel superheroes who use the power of science and technology to solve crimes or tackle societal challenges. Students tell their hero's story in a short comic or video. Experts judge the entries based on the submitter's use of science and technology, creativity and artistic or technical quality.

This is the first year that middle school students were invited to participate in Generation Nano.

High school winners

First Place Joy from St. Andrew's Episcopal School in Potomac, Maryland for "Heliora."

Second Place Anna and Emily from Clarke County High School in Berryville, Virginia for "Hemea."

Honorable Mentions Nicole from Jericho High School in Jericho, New York for "Vilmaris." Aisha, Saisanjana and Vidhya from East Brunswick High School in East Brunswick, New Jersey for "Dr. A."

Middle school winners

First Place Hannah from Roberto Clemente Middle School in Germantown, Maryland for "Peppy T. Polymer."

Second Place Kathryn from Robert Cook Edwards Middle School in Clemson, South Carolina for "Doctor DNA." Julie from Pennichuck Middle School in Nashua, New Hampshire, for "Estron."

Honorable Mentions Michelle and Gina from Roberto Clemente Middle School in Germantown, Maryland for "Bellator." Dhruv and Priya from Takoma Park Middle School in Takoma Park, Maryland for "HydroPIT."

Each first-place winner will attend the 2018 USA Science & Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C., April 6-8, 2018. This event is the largest of its kind and the only national science festival. The festival features speeches by inspirational scientists, exhibits from some of the biggest names in STEM, and interactive and informative demonstrations. The winners will each exhibit their superhero and their science-inspired powers at NSF's festival pavilion.

Generation Nano also recognized two teachers this year for playing pivotal roles in mentoring young STEM artists.

Lauren Cook from St. Andrew's Episcopal School worked with Joy, the high school first-place winner.

James Dempsey from Roberto Clemente Middle School worked with Hannah, the middle school first-place winner.

A panel of judges with expertise in either nanotechnology or comics evaluated each entry and selected semifinalists and finalists.

The judges

Corey S. Powell, former news editor of Discover magazine and adjunct professor at New York University.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2018, its budget is $7.8 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and other institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 50,000 competitive proposals for funding and makes about 12,000 new funding awards.